Durbin Rules Out Run for Governor

Sen. Richard Durbin said he will not run for governor of Illinois in 2002, leaving Democrats without the candidate most thought gave them their best chance to win the state’s top post for the first time in nearly three decades. Durbin will almost certainly seek reelection in two years. His decision was first reported in the Chicago Sun-Times on Sunday. With Democrats tied at 50-50 with Republicans in the Senate, Durbin’s staying means one less competitive seat to defend in the 2002 election.